hasta luego, cocodrilo
/ˈasta ˈlweɡo kokoˈdɾilo/word by word
The English phrase "see you later, alligator" is translated into Spanish as hasta luego, cocodrilo.
This phrase is a playful and rhyming way to say goodbye to someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both cocodrilo and the related form caimán are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈasta ˈlweɡo kokoˈdɾilo/
Did you know?
- The rhyming phrase hasta luego, cocodrilo is a translation of the English idiom rather than a traditional Spanish folk saying.
- The word hasta may have been borrowed from the Arabic word ḥattā, which also means 'until'.
- While the English phrase relies on a perfect rhyme, the Spanish version hasta luego, cocodrilo does not rhyme, making it much less catchy to native ears.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are leaving a park.
- MaríaMe divertí mucho hoy, Daniel.I had a lot of fun today, Daniel.
- DanielYo también, María. Nos vemos mañana.Me too, María. See you tomorrow.
- María¡Hasta luego, cocodrilo!See you later, alligator!
- Daniel¡Adiós, pequeña tortuga!Bye, little turtle!
